Yeah, it's funny, I was VERY wary of Kolanos coming in because I had actually done a search here and other places and found some pretty negative stuff.
But he's a hero down here at the moment. I write about the team for ProHockeyNews.com and wrote this in pre-season which pretty much sums up why:
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To get an idea of the leap in firepower these additions potentially bring to the table, consider this: Schultz, Kolanos, and Locke were ranked among the top 25 scorers in the AHL last season. In contrast, the three highest scoring Aeros players last season were Joel Ward at number 139, Ryan Hamilton at 152, and Adrian Foster at 160. What’s more, only Hamilton is returning to the team this season.
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So, Kolanos is friggin' superman here with almost a goal per game, most of them pretty dramatic and spectacular... never the dirty goals we're used to having to get. He was even made an alternate captain, which makes me think he's taken on a bit of a leadership role in the room. That's the (second to) last thing I thought I'd see. I dunno. Maybe he's just found a good spot here. Still a lot of season left and I know he wants back in the NHL pretty badly and Lemaire isn't impressed so far. Not sure how he'll wear that disappointment over the long haul of the season.
But yeah, team toughness isn't an issue, that's for sure. Love drops 'em twice a night, it seems. Kassian fights the big guys, and Scott... I'm not sure what you'd call what he does. Sort of an "angry pacifist" thing, but he's big and intimidating at least.